Sash and store front construction



Dec. 26, 1939. P. E. ATTICK SASH AND STORE FRONT CONSTRUCTION Filed May 6, 1938 Wil III/111A Patented Dec. 26, 1939 UNITED STATE SASH AND STORE FRONT CONSTRUCTION Purdy E. Attick, Chicago, 111. Application May 6, 1938. Serial No. 206,360

12 Claims.

This invention relates to window constructions, and more particularly to windows for store fronts and the like wherein plate glass panes or similar panels may securely be mounted and may be released for removal by bodily movement of an outer molding or strip.

Broadly considered, plate glass supports ordinarily comprise fixed built-in and securely fastened inner members entirely surrounding the window opening and against which a pane of glass is held by means of subsequently attached demountable face members or moldings which re tain the pane in place.

Previous methods of retaining glass in place have employed springs or resilient construction adapted to exert considerable pressure on the glass and provide a more or less yielding support for retaining the glass in place.

In an attempt to provide a more substantial means for rigidly supporting plate glass, there have heretofore been devised numerous devices employing screws or levers in connection with such construction, which must be manipulated during or after installation to secure the glass in place and again manipulated when it is desired to remove the glass or the retaining moldings or strips.

Such constructions usually require the use of a tool such as a screw driver or wrench and the pressure on the glass is not evenly distributed but is localized at points adjacent the securing means, thereby tending to fracture the glass.

When screws or levers are used they are usually arranged so that, with the ordinary wrench or screw driver, great pressure may be applied to the glass at spaced points where it is held with a vise-like grip. Inasmuch as such screws or levers must be spaced at relatively frequent intervals throughout the length of the supporting means, and as the degree of tension exerted upon the glass at each interval depends upon the skill of the workman installing the molding, uneven pressures are usually applied to the edge of the glass, resulting in objectionable stresses and strains which tend to break the glass particularly when it is subjected to any additional distortion such as pressures or strains due to wind, vibration, temperature changes and the like.

Prior constructions are further objectionable in that, in order to permit the face molding to be applied and fastened from the outside, they must usually be provided with accurately spaced securing means in alignment with cooperating sockets or clamping means on the backing strip or casing.

Whenever such fastening means are accessible from the outside of a store front construction there is always the danger of accidental or intentional loosening or removal and, in addition, to provide such means on the outside of a molding 5 requires that perforations or openings in the face of the demountable molding either be made at the factory, in which instance the exact dimensions of the window to be installed must be known, or the perforations must be made by workmen 10 using portable tools during the installation of the window, which is undesirable.

It is well known in the art that, in supportin plate glass or similar. fragile panels of fractible material, it is of primary importance to support the glass in such a manner that it will be Iree from'any continual or uneven stress or strain and so that there will be no torsional twist or continual distortion when in place. It is also well known that, if such distortion exists, the window is considerably weakened thereby and is much more'likely to shatter along the line of stress.

This problem has never satisfactorily been solved-with a self-locking outer strip for window moldings, some of which have been devised, yet in all of which the glass being supported is resiliently held in place and a continual or uneven tension is exerted thereon by the fastening means. As these were incapable of rigidly supporting the glass in place and as, when supported, the glass was-subject to the constant tension of the resilient means employed, they did not solve this problem.

It is therefore an object to provide a self-locking outer strip for window moldings which will 5 rigidly and securely retain the glass in place but without the application of any material pressure, tension or strain thereon.

It is a further object to provide a self-locking window molding adapted to accommodate varia- 40 tion in the thickness of the glass being supported and which, when in place, snugly engages the glass without material pressure thereon and nonresiliently supports both sides of the glass and prevents lateral movement thereof.

Afurther object is ,to provide a self-locking molding for store front constructions which may readily be installed wholly from the outside thereof and which makes unnecessary the use of tools in order to lock the glass in place.

It is also an object to provide a positively locking self-contained molding having a minimum numberof parts and adapted readily to be installed without prefabrication or any operation other than to cut pieces of the desired length.

A further object is the provision of a molding construction which may readily and quickly be placed in retaining relationship with the glass to be supported by the simple operation of pressing a demountable outer molding against the glass and in co-operative locking engagement with a fixed inner casing member.

The invention also contemplates a self-locking means for securely and uniformly retaining a demountable outer window molding in locked relationship with a complemental fixed, inner molding whereby the glass is retained by rigid non-resilient uniform contact of the glass-engaging surfaces.

The previous types of window supporting means require considerable time and labor properly to position and lock the moldings in place by manipulation of screws, clamps, levers or the like. It is therefore an object to provide a window-supporting and retaining assembly which may be easily and cheaply manufactured and may be installed with a minimum amount of time and labor.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the description and claims.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a transverse sectional view through one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a section similar to Fig. l, but shows an embodiment wherein springs carried by the locking blocks serve to engage a series of notches in the fixed member for retaining engagement therewith.

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment where a plurality of angular retaining surfaces are located on the locking block.

Fig. 4 is a similar embodiment having a plurality of notched surfaces on the block adapted to engage with ratchet teeth on the fixed member.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of an assembled window with the outer strip or molding broken away for purposes of illustration.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one of the selflocking retaining blocks.

Referring to thedrawing in detail, the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 comprises a pair of elongated inner and outer moldings or strips l and 2, respectively, the inner one of which may be securely attached to the frame work or sill of a store front by any suitable means and may be of any suitable contour such as illustrated, the contour depending somewhat upon the manner in which the parallel outer removable strip 2 is to be attached thereto. As shown, the inner channeled molding or casing member I may be provided with a series of ventilating and draining holes 3 through which the interior of the window may be ventilated, and through which water or moisture may pass and be discharged through openings such as 4 and 5. A suitable recess or series of longitudinally disposed notches 6 may be provided as shown in Fig. 1 and may be calked to aid in obtaining a water-tight contact between the inner channel I and the sill upon which it is supported.

These outer and inner moldings may be formed of strips of appropriate sheet metal by any suitable operation such as drawing, rolling, pressing or the like; or they may, if desired, be cast, molded or extruded from materials such as aluminum alloys or the like as is well known in the art and which are capable of being given the desired contour and finish.

The outer molding strip 2 comprises an elongated detachable member parallel to the inner fixed member I and usually has a highly finished ornamental exterior which may be of any suitable cross sectional contour or design. When assembled these parallel members form a channeled recess or slot therebetween to accommodate a sheet of glass or panel 2|. The inner and outer members have glass-engaging faces 1 and 8, respectively, which are adapted rigidly to support the glass therebetween.

As previously indicated, the manner in which the glass is held by the glass-retaining members is of great importance, and a self-locking retaining means which will not clamp or exert any constant tensional force upon the glass, and which is, in addition, capable of automatic compensation for variations in the thickness of the glass being held, is very desirable. In this invention this character of support is provided by the novel locking means employed, one of the locking elements being shown in detail in Fig. 6. As there illustrated, this device comprises a block 9 having portions l0 and II adapted to slidably engage in slots or recesses provided in the outer demountable strip 2 and along which said block may be adjusted as desired. The block 9 is also provided with a slightly angular face I2 which, in operation, is adapted to engage a similar surface [3 on the inner member I against which it bears when assembled. The surface I2 forms a part of an arm IS, the outer end of which may be roughened or provided with serrations to facilitate removal if it is desired to insert a tool through the ventilating openings 3 in order to release the outer molding from inside the win dow. It is to be understood, however, that this means of release is only optional and is not the means intended to be generally employed, inasmuch as it requires that the locking blocks be located immediately under the ventilation holes while the invention as a whole is broadly directed to the use of locking blocks at any point along the detachable member as desired. In manufacturing the blocks 9 they are preferably extruded or formed in long strips of the desired shape and may then be cut into sections of any desired length such as 1" or 1 These blocks may then be applied at suitably spaced intervals along the outer strip depending upon the particular installation involved but running in the neighborhood of 10".

The outer strip 2 may be provided adjacent its lower edge with an inturned flange l6 which may be formed substantially as shown and is adapted to enter and engage in a complemental slot ll in the member I when the device is assembled. The upper surface of the slot is provided with a slightly angular surface 8 for frictional engagement with a similar angular surface i'fia on the flange H5. The drainage openings '5 may comprise narrow slots in the flange l 6.

The angular surfaces l2 and Ilia are retained in frictional contact with the surfaces. [3 and I8, respectively, by means of a flat spring [4, and any outward movement of the outer moulding 2 is thereby prevented. It is to be understood that the inclined surfaces i2, 13, lfia, i8, 2 3 and 25 may be roughened or provided with suitable serrations if desired.

The outer member 2, with spaced locking blocks in place thereon, may be pressed into contact with the glass 2| and in looking engagement with the rear member as shown, and the frictional relationship of the angular surfaces will be retained'by the spring l4 without resilient pressure on the glass.

In removing the outer strip, an appropriate tool may be applied, one end of which mayextend under the lower edge of the outer member 2 and, if desired, may engage in a recess 22 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. Another portion of this tool may bear against the upper portion 8 of the outer member 2 and with a circular outward motion of the lower portion of the strip combined with a simultaneous downward thrust on the upper portion thereof the spring I4 is depressed sufliciently to permit the engaging portions to be withdrawn. This permits the quick removal of the outer member 2 whenever desired without the necessity for releasing a plurality of complicated locking ,mechanisms or other time consuming elements.

Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. 1, except that the spring Ma is so shaped that its free end engages in one of a series of notches or serrations 23 to thereby retain the locking blocks securely in position.

In removing the outer member 2 shown in Fig. 2 the loop portion of the spring la is depressed and upon contact with the base plate of the rear channel I will kick the free end from the notches 23, permitting ready removal of the outer member 2. i

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment in which the molding flange l6 may be omitted and locking block 9 provided with an arm having inclined surface 24 thereon adapted to cooperate with a similarly inclined surface 25 on the base of the inner casing.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment which does not employ inclined surfaces to retain the outer member but instead utilizes a pair of notched or serrated arms 28 and 29 adapted respectively to engage ratchet teeth 38 and 3| on the inner member I. With this type of construction there is a positive lock of the outer and inner members which is capable of being released only by depressing the demountable outer member 2.

In both Figs. 3 and 4 there is shown in dotted lines an inwardly extending flange 32 on the lower portion of the outer strip 2, which flange may be utilized, if desired, so that the face of the molding will be substantially completely closed. Drains may be provided by means of suitable slots in this flange.

As shown in Fig. 5, the window-retaining strips cooperate to provide a rigid support free from any tensional contact with the glass. The con-' struction disclosed permits such support of the glass and provides for an assembly whereby the workman may easily push into place suitable detachable outer members 2 having spaced locking means 9 thereon which may be located at any position desired in order to avoid obstructions present in the store front construction, such as the usual supporting blocks indicated generally at 33, and which when pressed into engagement with the previously installed inner member I will automatically look into place without manual manipulation of any securing or locking elements.

It will be understood that the specific locking block 9 illustrated in Fig. 6 is intended to represent generally the type of block which may be employed. It will also be understood that a mechanic skilled in the art may desire to secure the blocks 9 to the inner member l or he may desire to dispense with looking blocks entirely and form suitable locking portions on said inner member which will engage with the subsequently applied outer member. Also various modifications may be made in other details. It is desired, therefore, that the invention be limited only by claims.

I claim:

.the prior art and the scope of the appended l. A sash comprising a base having a portion adapted to engage one side of a glass, a retaining strip abutting the other side of said glass and having laterally spaced members thereon, both said strip and said members having protruding locking -means adapted to engage with companion lock-engaging portions extending throughout the length of said base and to be retained in contact therewith by suitable resilient means.

2. In a sash or store front construction, the combination of a fixed section and-a movable section adapted'to receive and rigidly hold a glass therebetween without material pressure thereon, a plurality of laterally-spaced members longitudinally adjustable along said movable section, each member having locking means adapted to engage with a portion of said fixed section, and spring means carried by said members to hold the locking portions thereof in engagement with the portions of said fixed section.

3. A sash comprising a base having a portion adapted to engage one side of a glass, a retaining strip abutting the other side of said glass and having laterally spaced members thereon, both said strip and said members being provided with projecting retaining means, and a resilient member adapted to keep both of said means in engagement with suitable retaining surfaces disposed along said base.

4. A sash comprising a base having a portion to engage one side of a glass, a retaining strip for the other side of said glass, laterally spaced members on one of said elements for frictionally engaging the other element to non-resiliently hold glass therebetween without clamping engagement, and resilient means for releasably retaining said members in frictional engagement with said other element.

5. A window glass retaining device of the character described comprising an elongated channeled inner member having a projecting glass pane substantially throughout the length of said face, a demountable outer member adjacent said fixed member and having a complemental glass engaging face in substantially parallel alignment with the face of said fixed member, a plurality of self-locking retaining means mounted on said outer member and having notched portions adapted to be engaged by suitable teeth on said inner member to positively lock said outer member against outward movement Without limiting approachment thereof.

6. A holding device for rigidly supporting a fractile panel without material pressure thereon, comprising an elongated trough-like inner sash member, the base ofwhich is adapted to form a seat with the frame which it abuts, a perpendicularly disposed Web arising from said base and adapted to engage the panel to be supported, said web having portions extending therefrom forming longitudinally disposed ratchet-engaging members, an outer transversely applied retaining strip having a panel-engaging surface along on its inner face providing a support for a sashlocking means, a series of blocks constituting the said sash-locking means slidably mounted in the longitudinal grooves of said retaining strip, each block having-a pair of arms extending therefrom, each of said arms having a notched portion complementary to said ratchet-engaging members, and resilient means on each of said blocks adapted to retain the ratchet portions in positive locking engagement with said ratchet-engaging members but permitting separation of said portions by rotative movement of said outer strip.

'7. In apparatus of the class described, an inner fixed bar having a continuous glass-engaging portion forming a rigid support for the inside of the glass, a complemental outer bar having a corresponding glass-engaging portion for rigidly supporting the outside of the glass, and cooperative engaging means between said bars for setting said outer bar in a position corresponding to the thickness of the glass by bodily p-tmhing the outer bar transversely into position toward and against the glass, said engaging means automatically being brought into operation in so setting the outer bar for opposing the outward movement of said bar by other than a resilient pressure.

8. A sash construction comprising an inner engaging member and an outer engaging strip supported on said inner member for supporting a glass therehetween, said inner member having a plurality of longitudinal outwardly opening slots therein, said outer member having inwardly projecting arms extending into said slots, resilient means associated with one of said arms for normally retaining portions of each of said arms in frictional engagement with the upper wall of its corresponding slot, said slots and said arms being structurally related to enable said strip to freely be pushed inwardly against said glass and to normally rigidly resist outward movement thereof.

9. A sash construction comprising an inner engaging member and an outer engaging strip for supporting a glass therebetween, said inner member having a plurality of longitudinal outwardly opening slots therein, said outer member having a plurality of longitudinally adjustable blocks provided with inwardly projecting arms extending into said slots, resilient means carried by said blocks for normally retaining portions of each of said arms in engagement with the upper Wall of its corresponding slot, said slots and said arms'being structurally related to enable said strip to freely be pushed inwardly against said glass and to normally prevent outward movement thereof, and to enable removal only by angular movement of said strip.

10. A sash comprising a base having a portion adapted to engage one side of a glass,a retaining strip abutting the other side of said glass and having laterally spaced members thereon, both said strip and said members having protruding locking means, lock-engaging portions extending throughout the length of said base to engage said locking means, and resilient means on each of said laterally spaced members, a notched portion extending throughout the length of said base and engaged by said resilient means to si multaneously positively retard outward removal of said retaining strip and resiliently retain said locking means and said loclr-engaging portions in contact.

11. A window sash comprising a base having a portion to engage one side of a Window glass, a demountable retaining strip for the other side of the glass, and self-locking means including laterally spaced locking members on the retaining strip for self-locking engagement with the base to provide a rigid non-clamping support for the glass between said base and said strip, said self-locking means being releasable only by combined sideward and outward movement of said retaining strip.

12. A fractile panel support comprising a pair of matched longitudinal panel engaging memers, each of which has a panel-engaging face, engaging means cooperating between said members for retaining the members in any adjusted spaced relationship against lateral outwardly directed forces, said means permitting lateral in- Ward movement of said members whereby the space between the members may be reduced, and said means upon rotative bodily movement of one of said members permitting outward movement to increase the space between said members.

PURDY E. ATTICK. 

